Football-mad youngsters from across the Shropshire will get the chance to visit the ground of Premier League champions Manchester City.

The trip to the Etihad Stadium has been organised by bosses from Ball Sports Community Coaching who are currently running a host of sports holiday camps.

Neil Prescott, from Telford, Steve Lalley from Market Drayton and Paul Marshall from Oswestry are joint owners of Ball Sports.

They are currently coaching a record breaking number of children in the most successful mixed sport summer holiday camp in the history of the company.

But Mr Prescott said they also wanted to give the children a chance for a day off the sports field and have a social event together.

The trip to the home of Manchester City FC will take place on August 24.

Mr Prescott said they were making the trip available to youngsters from across the county and their parents regardless if they are taking part in the summer camps or not.

He said: “We thought it would give the youngsters who work so hard with us some inspiration but we have also opened it up to anyone else who would like to come.

“City won the League Championship this year for the first time in 44 years so it just shows the youngsters that hard work and determination pays off.

“We see an awful lot of talent during our summer camps and we know one day some of the youngsters we coach could be on the field of a successful club like Man City.”

The trip which costs £30 for adults and £20 for children includes the coach and a 90-minute tour of the stadium by a professional guide.

Mr Prescott added: “The youngsters will get the chance to sit in the seats where the players and managers are grilled by the media during a press conference, visit the dressing room, get Roberto Mancini’s view from the dugout and most importantly walk down the tunnel as if they were about to take to the pitch as a Man City player.

“It will be a fantastic day and we hope one day one of our talents will be running out on to the pitch as a signed player.”

The tour will also include a look at the plans for the transformation of East Manchester which includes the wider Etihad Campus.

The thrilling Premier League campaign came to a victorious finish when Sergio Aguero scored a last minute goal against QPR at the Etihad Stadium.

To book a place on the trip or for more information about it or the summer camps which are being held in Albrighton, Oswestry and Market Drayton call Neil on 07817021068 or 01952 455510.

For more information about the coaching camps visit www.ballsportscoaching.co.uk

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